Polio Detected in European Wastewater: A Wake-Up Call for Vigilance
The European Center for disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has issued a stark warning: ”Increased vigilance is required to avoid any return of this serious illness.” polio, a disease many thought was consigned to history, has resurfaced in europe, detected in wastewater across several countries between September and December 2024.
Polio,or poliomyelitis,is caused by a highly contagious virus that “largely affects children under the age of 5,” according to the World Health Association (WHO). While frequently enough benign, it can lead to irreversible paralysis in approximately 1 in 200 cases and even death. Ther is no cure.
Once a global scourge, polio was nearly eradicated thanks to widespread vaccination campaigns in the 1960s. Europe has been polio-free for over two decades, with vaccination rates remaining high. In France, for exmaple, the vaccine is mandatory for infants, with booster doses administered at key stages of life.However, recent findings have shaken this sense of security. the ECDC reported that the poliovirus was detected in wastewater in Finland, Germany, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom.”This is the first time that this virus strain has been detected in the EU/EEE countries in the context of environmental surveillance,” the agency stated.
The source of the virus remains unclear. It may have been introduced from an unknown region where the virus is still circulating. “These recent imports can constitute a threat to public health in the EU/EEE and must be closely monitored,” the ECDC emphasized.
despite these detections, no human cases have been reported in Europe. The “global risk” remains “very low” among vaccinated populations, the ECDC reassures. Tho, Pamela Rendi-Wagner, the agency’s director, stressed the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates. “To avoid any return of this serious illness, we must remain vigilant,” she said.
In a joint publication in Eurosurveillance, Rendi-Wagner and Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, wrote, “Polio is perhaps forgotten by many, but it has not disappeared, and it still represents a risk for people who are not vaccinated in Europe and in all other regions of the world.”
Key Facts About Polio in Europe
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Detection | Poliovirus found in wastewater in Finland, Germany, Poland, Spain, and the UK. |
| Timeframe | September to December 2024.|
| Risk Level | ”Very low” for vaccinated populations. |
| Human Cases | None reported in Europe as of January 2025. |
| vaccination | Mandatory in many European countries, including France. |
The reappearance of polio in Europe serves as a stark reminder that the disease, though largely forgotten, has not been eradicated. Vigilance, robust surveillance, and high vaccination rates are essential to prevent its resurgence.For more information on polio and its global impact, visit the WHO website or explore the latest updates from the ECDC. Stay informed,stay protected.
